Kids Summer Karate Camp

[Sohan]

I love the movie idea. I'm hoping we can borrow a TV rack from the local library, because we don't have a good one at the rec center.

Jaymac, I'd like to give the kid belts, but since they're not wearing gis, I'm worried it might look a bit odd. But it might be cool to present white belts to the students at the end of the week as an award for their hard work? What do you think?

With respect,

Sohan

I'd do it somewhat differently, I'd give them the belts at the beginning of the week, and give them a goal to shoot for, and use stripes on the belt as "progress" markers. It makes kids really try harder when the one next to them has two stripes and they don't have any. (Of course, the flip side is that the kids feel left out if 20 kids get stripes and 2 don't )

You could do something along the lines of "every kid that earns 5 stripes" during the week gets a free dobok and week of lessons, then make sure that every kid gets at least 5 stripes by the end of the week.

Another thing you can do that kids love is to hand out "good job" awards. We have 3" x 3" square colored papers with different sayings "Great attitude", "Excellent job", etc. When they get x number of papers, they can trade it in for lick and stick tattoos, or other similar low cost toys (Think skeeball tickets).

Oh, and just an FYI, we hashed this over on another board when discussing "movie night" at the dojangh. Technically it is broadcasting a movie for a group for money, which could be considered illegal since you aren't a movie house. Group of friends come over to watch a movie? Great, private showing. Karate group that paid to be there for the fun, and you show a movie? Technically a no no.

Aodhan

Though I like the belt idea, the stripes will be a no-go, since that is how we promote children in kids class. If a child achieved stripes at camp and then showed up at class with a belt with three stripes after only a week or two of training, it wouldn't be fair to other kids. The good job awards may work, though.

As far as the movie goes, we'll look into it. Surely there's a way, since private schools show movies to their students in class as well.

Thanks for the advice.

With respect,

Sohan

[Aodhan]

Yeah, the likelihood of you being called on it is about the same as me making grandmaster next week.

If you don't do stripes on the belt, you could do achievement awards of some kind, and x number of achievement awards gets the dobok/week. There's tons of different ways to do it.

Aodhan

[Rateh]

We recently started a star card program at our school.

We run it two different ways...

For the youngest kids, they get a star every day that they are good in class, half a star if they are kinda good, and if they are bad, they dont get a star. They earn a purple stripe for every certain number of stars (different depending on the childs rank). Normal stripes are black, and they still test for those like the older kids.

For the older kids, they get a star if they do really well in class, or if they get really good grades etc. They earn prizes with different numbers of stars.

Perhaps something along these lines would work.

BTW the cards are just a index card with the name of the child on it. It is the childs responcibility to keep track of their own cards. The stars are just basic star stickers.

[NothingsShadow]

We recently started a star card program at our school.

We run it two different ways...

For the youngest kids, they get a star every day that they are good in class, half a star if they are kinda good, and if they are bad, they dont get a star. They earn a purple stripe for every certain number of stars (different depending on the childs rank). Normal stripes are black, and they still test for those like the older kids.

For the older kids, they get a star if they do really well in class, or if they get really good grades etc. They earn prizes with different numbers of stars.

Perhaps something along these lines would work.

BTW the cards are just a index card with the name of the child on it. It is the childs responcibility to keep track of their own cards. The stars are just basic star stickers.

Yes star systems work very well with kids, we have used a punch card star system in our dojo for a number of years (a card with lots of stars on it and you get them punched out as you receive them). We hand them out a little less liberally though, but the idea is the same, you get patches for your dogi and prizes once you have go a certain number.

[KarateK]

Can you arrange flights from Manchester, UK??

Think something like that would be perfect over here. My daughter esp would thrive

[jaymac]

Sohan, only those of you who normally wear gi's will find it odd to see little kids wearing belts without a uniform, but to them---> it will be the coolest thing in the world. As for stripes, it can work. Pick a color you do not normally place on the belts at your dojo. For instance, we give rank stripes out and put them on the left side of the belt. If a child does something really awesome that is not related to rank, we give them an orange stripe (a color we do not use for rank) on the right side of the belt.

[Sohan]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I received some very helpful suggestions that have really helped in designing the camp curriculum. We start on the 19th so I'll let you know how things go!

With respect,

Sohan

[wheeze]

having worked with kids for years might i suggest you include frequent breaks during karate class. we include at least 3 breaks per 45 minutes. we also have ma games and fun drills to break up the teaching. usually most kids can only stand up to 10 minutes of intense focusing. believe it or not they retain more and stay excited after the class is over. leave them wanting more. we also include fun ways to stretch including music. for instance chubby checker's 'The twist' kids love it and they warm up. the ages of the kids range from 5 to 13 so it is hard to keep a balance but it is possible.

blessings

wheeze

[jaymac]

Good luck Sohan. Let us know how it went. I bet the kids are going to have a blast!

[KamasandSais]

give them another bathroom break! you wouldnt want anyone one wetting there pants in the middle of a kata.